In a solo venture into the Colorado backcountry, a British Columbia woman, Gina Chase, survived four days after being reported missing. She was participating in a spiritual retreat organized by the Durango-based non-profit Animas Valley Institute. Searchers spent days looking for Chase, who was fasting as part of the experience. Chase lacked basic navigation skills and was not properly outfitted for emergencies. The group of 11 campers, including Chase, split up for solo quests without sufficient measurement of their survival skills.
Chase built a shelter with tree branches and filtered water from a stagnant source using skills she claimed to have learned from TV shows. Despite being encouraged to leave cell phones behind for isolation, Chase had her phone with her but lacked cell service coverage. She was found after four days of being lost by searchers, who questioned the preparation and navigation skills of both Chase and the organization.
Chase’s ordeal highlighted the importance of basic navigation skills and proper emergency preparation in the backcountry. The incident prompted the Animas Valley Institute to bring in outside experts for a review of their practices. Chase expressed gratitude to all involved in her rescue and vowed to equip herself with a GPS device in the future. The story ended on a positive note as Chase returned home and thanked those who helped in finding her, signifying that she was “no longer missing.”
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